David’s Message to Nabal

David’s Message to Nabal

1 Samuel 25:5 – David sent ten young men, saying to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, find Nabal, and greet him in my name. 6 – Then say, ‘May you live long. Peace to you, peace to your family, and peace to all that you have.

Verse 7 – Now, I’ve heard that the sheep shearers are with you. Now, your shepherds have been with us. We didn’t harm them, and they didn’t miss anything all the time they were in Carmel. 8 – Ask your young men and they’ll tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor with you since we came on a special day. Please give whatever you have available to your servants and to your son David.’”

David’s message to Nabal was very courteous and polite. It began with a greeting and a blessing. David used to be a shepherd and was familiar with the risk of harm from predators and subtly implied that it was in their power to be a predator, but instead they were protectors. Nabal’s shepherds and sheep were not only unharmed, they were shielded from loss. David’s unsolicited protection also fell upon a special day in which he hoped Nabal would be generous with sharing provisions. No other compensation was required. David’s message also ended with humility referring to his men as Nabal’s servants and himself as Nabal’s son.

As I read David’s message I began to recall the times I’ve been asked to write polite letters to various employers on behalf of church members requesting religious exemptions. I can’t remember any employer actually rejecting any of my letters, but how would I have responded if they did? Would we have had the actual strength of character that was portrayed in my words or would we cherish the spirit of murmuring and complaining and seek to strike back?

This was David’s challenge. His message portrayed a noble character, but did he actually have that noble character to back up his words? Nabal received David’s message with scorn and sent David’s men back with nothing but rejection and ridicule. Then David’s tune changed: 1 Samuel 25:13 – ‘David told his men, “Put on your swords.” They put on their swords, and David put on his sword. Then about 400 men followed David, while 200 stayed with the supplies.’ The protector was now the predator. Nabal and his men were the prey.

It was going to take the bravery, wisdom, and intercession of a godly woman named Abigail to quell the vengeance in David’s heart. We will face times when people will not respond to our friendly gestures the way we expect them to. We will be tempted to cherish the spirit of vengeance, like David, and seek to strike back with words and actions that we will certainly regret. May our God give us the strength to not return evil for evil.

Proverbs 20:22 says: Don’t say “I’ll avenge that wrong!” Wait on the LORD and he will deliver you.